Activity of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum var. nova, and its effect on citrus development in southeastern Spain
Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) are symbiotic associations between fungi of the Phylum Glomeromycota and most plants, and has direct benefits for plant nutrition, increased exploration of the soil and greater nutrient uptake through the hyphae and roots.
The goal was to study the use of Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum (GIT) in different cultivars and species of citrus.
The first experiment was aimed to ascertain the number of GIT applications necessary to obtain the best physiological response in lemon 'Fino'. Parameters measured included colonization percentage and mycelium production together with the gas exchange plants parameters net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and water use efficiency.
A second experiment to ascertain the effectiveness of two AM strains, GIT and Rhizophagus irregularis on the production of lemon 'Fino'. For this, several mycorrhizal parameters were measured, including colonization percentage and mycelium production, together with fruit caliber and production.
The third experiment consisted of a battery of trials in tangerine plantations of 'Oronules', 'Clemenvilla' and 'Clemenpons' cultivars where GIT had been applied at a rate of 3 kg ha-1 through the irrigation system.
Development variables, such as fruit production and caliber were measured.
The use of GIT with double inoculation produced the best physiological and growth effects of lemon 'Fino' plants of one year, promoting in turn the highest mycorrhizal activity.
Fruit production of the plants treated with GIT was higher than of the ones treated with Rhizophagus irregularis (35.67%). The production of treated plants increased from 7.20 to 26% in the tangerine cultivars studied in the third experiment.
Fruit reached a commercial color earlier in the sub-plot treated with GIT making it possible to harvest more fruit in the first pass.
The greatest production increase in response to GIT application was in 'Oronules' (26.3%) followed by 'Clemenvilla' (7.9%) and 'Clemenpons' (8.3%).
Fernández, F., Juárez, J., Bernabe, A.J., García, F.J. and Gómez, J.M. (2019). Activity of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Glomus iranicum var. tenuihypharum var. nova, and its effect on citrus development in southeastern Spain. Acta Hortic. 1230, 73-84
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1230.10
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1230.10
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1230.10
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1230.10
lemon ‘Fino’, tangerines, net photosynthesis, mycorrizal activity, citrus caliber
English